Record perforating device



y 1966 A. HUNTER ETAL 3,253,778

RECORD PERFORATING DEVICE Filed Nov. 10, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 82 INVENTORS ALBERT J. ROMEO 28 ALEXANDER HUNTER A. ATTORNEY y 1966 A. HUNTER ETAL 3,253,778

RECORD PERFORATING DEVI CE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 10, 1964 n 12 l s4 null- IIIIIMQ y 1966 A. HUNTER ETAL 3,253,778

RECORD PERFORATING DEVI CE Filed Nov. 10, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG. 6 125 124 FIG. 7

United States Patent v 3,253,778 RECORD PERFORATING DEVICE Alexander Hunter, Chaltont, and Albert J. Romeo, Springfield, Pa-., assignors to Sperry Rand Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed Nov. 10, 1964, Ser. No. 410,217 6 Claims. (Cl. 234-114) This invention relates to a record perforating device and more particularly to an improved form of electrically operated punching mechanism.

Conventional record perforating or punching devices usually consist of a series of punch bars, one for each possible column or row position, known as a serial punching device, or one for every possible position on the rec- 0rd, known as a gang punch. Additionally, a heavy motor driven element known as the bail is provided for driving the punch bars. Placed between the bail, which supplies the driving force, and the punch bar, which permits the actual perforation of the record, are a series of interposers employed to selectively transmit the bail power to the punch bars. The interposers, which themselves must be of substantial size and of heavy material in order to properly transmit the force presented by the heavy bail member to the punch bars, are themselves connected to individual selection electro-magnets. The operation of the selection electro-magnets may be made in accordance ith some selection scheme based on the information to be punched in order to place the interposers in the direct line between the bail mechanism and the punch bar or out of such line. In the first instance, in which alignment is achieved (called the select position), a punch operation will take place wherein the particular punch bar will perforate the record, and in the second condition, when the interposer is not in alignment (called the non-select position) no such punching operation will take place.

Due to the weight and size of the interposers and the fact that they are remotely controlled via selection electromagnets substantial linkages and heavy currents are required in order to permit the interposers to be properly placed in the select or non-select positions in line or not between the bail member and punch bars. The weight of and the friction developed between the members of the linkages increases wear at linkage pivot points, increases the requirements for bail driving power as well as increases the current which must be supplied to the selection electro-magnets which move the interposers between such first and second positions.

Definite time limits are established in prior art devices because of the requirements that the interposers be set during the period when the bail is not attempting to move the interposer, that is, during the dwell period between sucessive punch 'cycles. During this dwell period the large currents necessary to operate the selection elec tro-magnets must be built up, the selection electro-magnets must be operated and the interposers positioned according to the information to be punched. All this must be done before the bail engages the interposers forv the next punch cycle. Thus, the maximum repetition rate of bail movement is limited by the time required to prepare the punch mechanism for a further punch cycle.

A positive mechanism is required in prior art devices to permit the returning of the punch bars to their initial positions from their record perforating position. This may involve in some manner the attachment by means of notches, springs, cams or other devices of a punch stripper possibly requiring a further power source. The stripper operation creates further timing problems in that all punch bars must be returned to their initial position before the subsequent application of drive by the bail member for a further punching operation. If such timing were not accurately controlled, punch bars or interposers might be broken or damaged.

3,253,778 Patented May 31, 1966 ice The present invention overcomes many of the difficulties exhibited by prior art devices by. employing a punch mechanism constructed of a minimum number of lightweight components, each of which may serve a plurality of functions; Further, many o'f'the component assemblies are mounted on fiex-ure spring members-to minimize their frictional eifects, increase their usable life, and increase their speed ofoperation. Additionally, by

, employing a system of mechanical resetting during each operating cycle, the requirements for operating current for the selection electro-magnets is greatly reduced. Further, the timing problems created by current buildup, selection electro-magnet operation and linkage movement to position the interposers are greatly reduced as shall be seen by the use of a single member as both armature for the electro-magnet and interposer member.

Briefly stated, the device consists of a striker assembly which is mounted upon a set of flexure members or springs and moved by drive means from an initial position through a complete cycle, during which time it may cause the movement of a punchbar through the record and return to said initial position. A unitary armatureinterposer member is placed adjacent the striker assembly and is mounted in such a'manner, with respect to the striker assembly that itcontinually follows the path of movement of the striker assembly. The interposer of the armature-interposer member is normally placed in a position between the punch bar and the striker surface of the striker assembly such that punching will take place during every cycle of operation. However, during every cycle of operation a mechanical resetting device removes the interposer of the armature-interposer member from its operating position and causes the armature of the armature-interposer member to come into contact with the surface of the associated selection electro-magnet. The operation of the selection electro-magnet, at this time, will cause the interposer of the armature-interposer member to be retained in contact with the selection electro-magnet and prevent reinsertion of the interposer of the armature-interposer member between the striker surface of the striker assembly and punch bar. During the ensuing movement of the striker assembly, the punch bar will not be moved and will fail to perforate the record moved adjacent the record perforating device. This is termed the non-select mode of operation. Should the selection electro magnet' not be operated during the time the armature portion of the armature-interposer member is in contact with the selection electro-magnet the inter-. poser of the armature-interposer member would be reinserted between the striket surface of the striker assembly and the punch bar. In the ensuing movement of the striker assembly, the punch bar will be moved through the record causing its perforation and returned to its initial position. This mode of ope-ration is termed the select mode.

The cyclic movement of the armature portion of the armature-interposer member in contact with the selection electro-r'na'gnet thus reduces the current which must be supplied to the selection elec'tr'o ma'gnet since only enough current is needed to hold the armature and not the larger amount of current which would be required to attract and hold the armature as is true of prior art devices. Further, due to the unitary nature of the interposer and armature, many of the linkages required in prior art devices are completely eliminated and those remaining are made simpler and lighter making-the operation of the interposer faster, smoother and with far less friction. The latter also reduces the amount of selection current required. The simpler form of the interposer of the armature-interposer member permits the interposer portion to trackth'e striker assembly and permits a quicker insertion of the interposer with a minimum of inter-poser travel. 7

A stripper bar is coupled at one end to the punch bar by means of a notch in the punch bar and is connected at its other end to the striker assembly so that onthe downward cycle of movement of the striker assembly a punch bar which has been caused to perforate the record may be returned to its initial position. This combination of the stripper bar with the striker assembly eliminates the additional cams and drive means required to operate the separate stripper bar found in the prior art and assures a proper timed relationship between the punch cycle and the punch bar stripping cycle.

In a first arrangement of the device, provision is made to punch in a serial manner in all twelve row positions of a single column simultaneously. In a further arrangement of this device, provision is made to punch in a serial manner in all row positions of two columns simultaneously thus greatly increasing the speed of operation of the device.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide an improved form of electrically operated record perforating device.

It is still another object of this invention to provide an electrically operated record perforating device which reduces the friction and wear normally accompanying prior art record perforating devices.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide an electrically actuated record perforating device which employs a unitary structure, for operating the punch bars of the record perforating. device and for providing a proper return or restoration of such punch bars.

It is still another object of this invention to provide an electrically actuated record perforating device wherein the armature and the interposer member are unitary and in which a minimum amount of current is required to cause the attraction of said armature to the selection electro-magnet.

It is still another object of this invention to provide an electrically actuated punching device wherein the interposer member is continually in engagement between the striker support and the punch bar, and which punching operations will take place in every cycle of operation unless prevented by the operation of selection electromagnets. 4

It is yet another object of this invention to provide an electrically actuated punching device wherein the interposer member follows the movement of the striker assembly and is retained in close proximity to the striker support and punch bar to minimize interposer travel and to insure accurate positioning of said interposer.

Further objects and features of' the invention will be pointed out in the following descriptions and claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which disclose, by way of example, the principles of the invention, and the best mode which has been contemplated for carrying it out.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 illustrates a partial sectional side elevation in substantially schematic form of a record perforating device constructed in accordance with the basic concepts of the invention and illustrates the device in a select or punching mode.

FIGURE 2 is a partial side elevation of the device of FIGURE 1 and illustrates the mechanical resetting portion of FIGURE 1 in operation.

FIGURE 3 is a partial sectional left side view of the device of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a partial sectional side elevation in schematic form of a second embodiment of the device constructed in accordance with the basic concepts of the invention and disclosesand illustrates the arrangement for punching in two record columns at one time. The punching mechanism on'the left hand portion of the figure is shown in the select or punching mode whereas the punching mechanism on the right hand side of the figure is shown in the non-select or non-punching mode.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view of the device of FIG- URE 4.

FIGURE 6 is a partial sectional view of the shaft 26 of FIGURE 5 illustrating the details of reset link 122.

FIGURE 7 is a partial sectional view of the shaft 26 of FIGURE 5 illustrating the details of the reset line 124.

FIGURE 8 is a partial side elevation of the device of FIGURE 1 illustrating a further embodiment of the unitary armature-interposer assembly.

Similar elements are given similar reference characters in each of the respective figures.

Turning now to FIGURE 1, the device constructed in accordance with the basic concepts of the invention is illustrated. The striker support 10 (shown in crosssection) having thereon a striker surface 12 mounted by means of fiexure springs 14 and 16 to a mounting block 18 attached by suitable means to the frame or side wall 8 of the record perforating device. The fiexure members 14 and 16 are connected to the striker support 10 by means of the fasteners 22 and to the mounting block 18 by means of the fasteners 20. The striker support 10 is caused to move alternately in a direction towards the top of the figure and then towards the bottom of the figure by means of the eccentric drive mechanism 24. The

eccentric drive mechanism 24 consists of a motor (not shown) driven shaft 26 into which an eccentric pin 28 has been placed. The eccentric pin 28 is coupled to the center of a bearing housing 30 which is fitted into the aperture of a link 32. The link 32 in turn is connected by means of a pivot pin 34 to the striker support 10. By means of the eccentric assembly 24, the rotational movement of the shaft 26 is translated into substantially vertical anti-parallel motion of the striker support 10 towards the top of the FIGURE 1 and down towards the bottom of the FIGURE 1 in alternative cycles.

Within an aperture 36 in the upper portion of the striker support 10 is mounted a punch bar 38 in such a manner as to be free to move within the aperture 36. The aperture 36 is sufliciently large to permit relative motion between the punch bar 38 and the striker support 10 during the non-select mode of operation as will be described. The punch bar 38 is arranged to move within apertures placed in a punch block 40 (shown in crosssection) and a punch die 42 (shown in cross-section) which are spaced apart from one another a suflicient distance to permit the insertion of a record 44 (shown in cross-section) therebetween. As will be described with reference to FIGURE 2, the punch bar 38 is held within the punch block 40, punch die 42, and striker support 10 in such a manner that maximum upward travel caused by the striker 12, and maximum downward travel caused by the stripper bar 108 (to be described below with refer ence to FIGURE 2) are fixed.

Attached by suitable means to the frame or side wall 8 of the perforating device is a further mounting block 46 to the bottom and left of the shaft 26. The combined armature-interpo'ser assembly 50 is fastened to the mounting block 46 by means of the fasteners 48. The combined armature-interposer assembly 50 consists of a first flexure member 52 to which the armature 54 is connected, and a further flexure member 56 connected to the first fiexure member 52 by means of the fasteners 58. Connected to the extreme end of the flexure member 56 by the fastener 62 is the interposer 60. The armature-interposer assembly 50 is held at a firs-t position by means of the tension spring 64 which is connected between the a'rmature-interposer assembly 50 and the spring support 66. A selection electro-magnet 67, consisting of a core 69 and coils '68, is positioned adjacent the armature 54 and is suitably mounted upon the frame or side wall 8 of the perforating device. The coils 68 are in turn connected by means of the leads 70 to a switch member 72 which is in turn connected to a source of operating current 74.

The mechanical reset device for positioning the armat-ure 54 of the armature-interposer assembly 50 to the face of the electro-magnet 67 consists of a reset arm 76 moving about a fixed pivot 78 (connected to the frame or side wall 8 of the perforating device) and connected by means of a movable pivot 80 to a further arm 82. The arm 82 is coupled by means of a movable pivot 84 to the link 3-2 connecting the striker support 10 to the eccentric assembly 24. The length of. the linkages 76 and 82 and the positions of the pivots 78, 80 and 84 are so arranged that as the link 32 begins to travel from the maximum position shown in FIGURE 1 (and assumed to be the 0 and 360 positions of the pin 28) towards the 90 position in a clockwise direction, the reset arm 76 will cause the armature 54 to be forced against the surface of the core 69 of the selection electro-ma-gnet 67. Contact will be maintained from approximately the 90 position of pin 28 to 180 of pin 28 when the link 32 begins its upward cycle of motion causing the reset arm 76 to (be withdrawn from contact with the armature 54. This arrangement will be described in greater detail with respect to FIGURE 2.

The position of the interposer 60 of the armature-interposer assembly with respect to the punch bar 38 and the striker surface 12 is controlled by means of an apertured positioning plate 77 which is fastened to the striker sup port 10 by means of fasteners 79. The interposer is placed within the aperture of a positioning plate 77 in such a manner as to never leave it. In the instance where punching is to take place as is illustrated in FIGURE 1, the interposer 60 is placed fully through the aperture and causes contact between the striker surface 12 and the punch bar 38. In the instance where no punching operation is to take place, the interposer 60 is withdrawn partially from the positioning plate 77 such that the leading edge of the'interposer 60 lies in a direct line with the back edge of the positioning plate 77 and prevents contact between the striker surface 12 of the striker support 10 and the lower portion of the punch bar 38. As will be evident from the discussion of FIGURE 2, the stationary stop 104 will prevent the punch bar 38 from moving to a position where the striker surface 12 will contact the punch bar 38 without the insertion of the interposer. By retaining the interposer 60 within the aperture of the positioning plate 77 and by mounting the interposer 60 upon flexure members '52 and 56, the interposer 60 will be made to move up and down with. the striker support 10 and always in close proximity to the point of insertion between the punch 'bar 38 and the striker surface 12. In this manner a minimum amount of travel and energy is required for positioning and interposer 60.

In order to better understand the manner of operation of the device of FIGURE 1, a complete cycle of operation of the perforating device will be traced. It will be assumed that the punching device is in the position shown in FIGURE 1 at the beginning of the cycle, which position will be referred to as the 0 or 360 position. The frame of reference will be the position of the eccentric pin 28. In FIGURE 1, the eccentric pin 28 is shown at its topmost or 0 position prior to rotation of the pin 28 in a clockwise direction taking it through a complete 360 rotation. The interposer 60 is shown in the punch actuating position, that is, fully within the aperture of the positioning plate 77 and in a direct line with the punch bar 38 and the striker surface 12 of the striker support 10. It

can be seen that the armature 54 of the armature-interposer assembly is now away trom the surface of the electro-magnet 67 and that the tension spring 64 is in its relaxed position. Further, it can be seen that the striker support 10 is in its uppermost position and that the flexure members 14 and 16 are in a slightly flexed position. The reset arm 76 is in a substantially vertical position and does not engage the armature 54.

As the eccentric pin 28 begins to move from the 0 6 position, as shown in FIGURE 1, towards the 90 position (which is the rightmost extreme of its travel), the striker support 10, under the control of link 32, begins to move downwardly through a position at which the flexure spring members 14 and 16 are completely horizontal to a position which they become downwardly flexed. During this motion, the link 32 tends to move in a generally rightward direction moving with it the movable pivot 84 and thus causing the arm 82 to move towards the night of the FIGURE 1. The movement of the arm 84 will exert on the movable pivot a force tending to move this pivot point also to the right and causing the rotation of the reset arm 76 about the fixed pivot pin 78 in a counterclockwise direction. This counter-clockwise movement of the reset arm 76 will urge the armature 54 against the core 69 of the electro-magnet 67. n

The position of the various elements just described is clearly shown in FIGURE 2 wherein the eccentric pin 28 is shown in the position. As can be seen from FIG- U-RE 2, the reset arm 76 fully engages the armature 54 and has moved it into contact with the core 69 of the electro-magnet 67. As a result of this action, the flexure springs 52 and 56 have'been moved to the left causing the interposer 60 connected to the flexure member 56 by means of the fasteners 58 to be withdrawn from the dire-ct line of contact between the punch bar 38 and the striker surface 12 of the striker support 10 to the position where the leading edge of the interposer 60 is now in line with the back edge of the positioning plate 77. This movement of the flexure members 52 and 56 causes the tension spring 64 to lbe tensed. This is the reset condition which exists at every cycle of operation as the eccentric pin 28 moves towards the 90 position of rotation. At this time selection current may be applied to the coils 68 of the e-lectro-magne't 67 by means of the closure of the switch 72 of the current source 74. It should Ibe recalled that unlike devices known in the prior art, if it is desired not to cause a punching operation or to operate device in the non-select mode, current will be applied to retain the armature 54 in contact with the selection electro-magnet 67 and thus prevent the insertion of the interposer 60. This is in distinction to devices in the prior art which apply current only at such time as punching is desired in order that the interposer can be properly positioned between a punch bar and the operating bail. With the arrangement of the invention, the device will tend to punch at every cycle of operation and only upon the actuation of the selection electro-magnet 67 will the device be prevented from punching during the ensuing portion of its cycle.

Returning now to FIGURE 1, the continued rotation of the eccentric pin 28 from its position at 90, as illustrated in FIGURE 2, to a position of will merely result in the movement of the striker support 10 to its lowest position and the flexing of the fiexure member 56 to retain interposer 60 in its desired position. The reset arm 76 will continue to engage the armature 54 holding it against the surface of the core 69 of the electro-magnet 67. Thus the armature 54 is retained against the core 69 of the electro-magnet for the time taken to rotate the eccentric pin 28 through the are from 90 to 180. Selection current may thus be applied to the coils 68 of the selection electro-magnet 67 at any time during this period reducing greatly the critical timing found in prior art devices.

In that it has been assumed that a punching operation will take place, the electro-magnet 67 will not have been actuated by means of the current source 74 and the switch 72 and the armature-interposer assembly 50 will be free to 'move under the control of the tension spring 64 once the reset arm 76 is removed from contact therewith. As the eccentric pin 28 begins its rotation from the 180 to the 270 position, the link 32 will be moved towards its leftmost extreme and will begin to move upwardly. As a result of the leftward movement of the link 32, the movable pin 84 forces the arm 82 to act upon the reset arm 76 via its movable pin 80 and cause the reset arm 76 to rotate about the fixed-pin 78 in a Clockwise direction removing contact between the reset arm 76 and the armature 54. With the removal of the reset arm 76 from its contact position, the tension spring 64 tensed during the reset operation, is permitted to draw the armatureinterposer assembly 50 to the right causing the interposer 60 to be fully inserted in the direct line between the punch bar 38 and the striker surface 12 of the striker support 10.

During the following 90 rotation of the eccentric pin 28 from the position of 270 to a position of 360 or the link 32 will be caused to move generally in an upward I 0 position, shows the position of the perforating device when the punch operation has been completed.

In addition to those operations described above as taking place in the rotation of the eccentric pin 28 from the 0 to the 90 position, .a further operation takes place, namely that of stripping the punch bar 38 from the record 44 and the punch die 42 and returning it to its initial position within the punch block 40. This portion of the operation may better be understood by reference to FIGURE 2 which illustrates partial sectional view of the left side of FIGURE 1. The punch bar 38 has a first notch designated the stop notch 102 which engages a stationary stop 104 mounted to the frame or side wall 8 of the perforating device by means of a fastener 106. The size of the stop notch 102 and the stationary stop 104 are so chosen that the maximum downward and upward movements of the punch bar 38 are limited. The upper portion of the stop notch 102 in contact with the stationary stop 104 will prevent the punch bar from being moved so far down as to be able to contact the striker surface 12 without the insertion of the interposer 60.

, The lower portion of the stop notch 102 in contact with the stationary stop 104 will prevent the punch bar 38 from being moved so far upwardly that it can not be withdrawn during the stripping operation.

The second notch provided in the punch bar 38 is the stripper notch 100 which engages a stripper bar 108 mounted upon the striker support by means of a moved to its uppermost position, that is, after the punch bar 38 has been moved upwardly through the punch block 40, the record 44, and the punch die 42 to complete a perforating operation, the stripper bar 108 will contact the bottom surface of the stripper notch 100. As the striker support 10 is moved by the link 32 coupled to the eccentric pin 28 from the 0 to 90 position, the stripper bar 108 will exert suflicient force againstthe bottom portion of the stripper notch 100 to cause the withdrawal of the punch bar 38 from the punch die 42, the record 44- and back to its normal position within the punch block 40. Suflicient play is permitted between the stationary stop 104 and the stop notch 102, and the stripper bar 104 and its stripper notch 100 to prevent either of the members 104 or 102 from impeding the movement of the punch bar 38 during other than intended functions.

Returning again to FIGURE 1, the manner of operation of the device in the non-select or non-punching mode will now be set forth. During the movement of the eccentric pin 28 starting with the 0 position, as shown in FIGURE 1, to the 90 position, as shown in FIGURE 3, the operation of the device for the non-select or nonpunching mode will be the same as that described with reference to FIGURE 1 for the select or punching mode. The punch bar 38 if it had been operated during the previous cycle of operation will be withdrawn or stripped during this time, and the reset arm 76 will be caused to engage the armature 54 forcing it against the surface of the core 69 of the electromagnet 67. Since punching is not desired during this cycle, the switch 72 to the current source 74 will be closed somewhere between the 90 position and the 180 position of the eccentric pin 28 to cause the armature 54- to be retained in contact with the surface of the core 69 of the electromagnet 67. As has been explained with reference to the position of the armature-interposer assembly of FIGURE 2, the operation of the reset arm 76 will cause the withdrawal of the interposer from the direct line position of the punch bar 38 and the striker surface 12 and will cause it to take a position such that the leading edge of the interposer 60 is in line with the rear surface of the positioning plate 77. Due to the actuation of the electromagnet 67, the armature 54 will be retained in this position as the eccentric pin 28 begins its travel from the 180 to 270 positions and removes the contact of the reset arm 76 from the .armature 54. Eccentric pin 28 and the link 32 will continue in their upward travel causing the striker support 10 to move upwardly, however, due to the fact that the interposer 60 has been withdrawn, the striker 12 is not able to contact the surface of the punch bar 38 and no punch operation takes place.

It should be obvious from the foregoing description of the manner of operation of FIGURE 1 that during every downward cycle between the 0 and positions of the eccentric pin 28, the stripper notch of the punch bar 38 is contacted by the stripper bar 108 which attempts to move or does move the Punch bar 38 from its uppermost perforating position. Also during this portion of the rotation of the eccentric pin 28, the reset arm 76 will operate upon the armature 54 to bring it into contact with the core 69 of the electro-magnet 67. During the rotation of the eccentric pin 28 from the 90 position to the position, the choice must be made as to whether a'punch operation or a non-punch operation is to take place. It should be recalled that the lack of operation of the selection electro-magnet 67 will cause a punching operation to take place whereas the energization of the electro-magnet 67 will cause the device to fail to punch in the following cycle. During the rotation of the eccentric pin 28 from the 180 position to 270 position, the reset arm 76 is withdrawn from contact with the armature 54 and the armature -54 is permitted to take one of two positions, that is, remain in contact with the electromagnet 67 or return to its normal position.

In the following rotation of the eccentric pin 28 from the 270 position to the 360 or 0 position, the punch operation will take place if the interposer is in position.

Although only a single punch arrangement has been illustrated for purposes of simplicity of the drawings and explanation, it should be realized that as many punching devices may be mounted one behind the other as are required for a particular mode of punching. For example, if it is desired to punch serially in all rows of a single column then 12 punch elements, one behind the other would be employed. In another arrangement which is also serial, in which all column positions of a single row would be punched, 80 of these units might be mounted one behind the other to permit the punching of all 80 column positions of a single row at one time. In order to permit the punching of 12 or 80 positions simultaneously, it should be understood that the striker support member 10 would be extended into the plane of the paper a sufficient distance to permit the mounting of 12 or 80 punch bars 38. The link 32 would be duplicated at each end of the striker support 10 to permit proper drive, that is, upward and downward motion of the striker support 10. A plurality of flexure springs would be provided along the length of the striker support 10 so as to properly support the striker support 10. Twelve or 80 electro-magnets 67 would be placed along the length of the striker support 10 into the plane of the paper and each one placed adjacent the armature-interposer assem-. bly 50 of a single punch. Each of the armature-interposer assemblies 50 will have its own separate tension springs 64 connected between the assembly and the frame or sidewall 8 of the device. The punch die 42 and the punch block 40 would be extended into the plane of the paper and the proper number of apertures would be placed therein to receive either the 12 or 80 punch bars 38 as is needed. Additionally, a reset arm 76 would be placed at each end of the punch stack with a crossmem-ber connected therebetween to contact the armatures of each of the selection electro-magnets 67. Each unit would operate in the manner described with reference to FIGURE 1.

Turning now to FIGURE 4, there is illustrated a further embodiment of the device which permits the punching of two columns simultaneously. Although the device is intended to punch all 12 row positions of each of the two columns or all 80 column positions of two rows the discusssion which follows will be limited to a consideration of the first punch elements of these two columns for the sake of simplicity. The arrangement of the device with all of the punch bars 38 for a single column (12 or 80 punch bars 38) will be described in greater detail with reference to FIGURE below. The striker support (shown in cross-section) is made wide enough to handle tow columns of punch bars 38 and long enough to handle either 12 or 80 punch bars 38 depending on the punching operation desired. The striker support 10 has a striker surface 12 of sufiicient size to bear against each of the punch bars 38. Placed in the left and right walls of the striker support 10 are a plurality of apertures employed as positioning means for the interposers 60. These apertures in the side Walls serve the function of the aperture in the positioning plate 77 of FIGURE 1. The striker supp0rt'10 is mounted by means of fasteners 48 to a series of flexure members 14 and 16 which in turn are afiixed by means of fasteners 20 to a mounting block 18 which is mounted by suitable means to the frame or sidewall 8 of the device. Two rows of apertures 36 are provided in the upper portion of-the striker support 10. Into these apertures 36 are placed two rows of punch bars 38, each of which is free to move within its aperture 36 and move relative to the striker support 10 during non-punching cycles. Each of the punch bars 38 is provided with an armature-interposer assembly which is afiixed to a portion of the frame or sidewall 8 by means of the fasteners 48. A tension spring 64 is provided for each armature-interposer assembly 50 and connected to spring support members 66 mounted upon the frame or sidewall 8. The armature-interposer assemblies 50 are divided into two groups, one group placed on each side of the striker support 10 so as to minimize the space required. Placed adjacent to the armatures 54 of the armature-interposer assembly 50 are an equal number of selection electro-magnets 67 to control the operation of the interposer as has been described above. The coils 68 of the selection electromagnets 67 are each connected by means of lines 70 to switches 72 (only one of which is illustrated) and a current supply 74. The electro-magnets 67 are connected to and supported by means of another portion of the Each of the reset arms 76, consists of two upright portions 76c mounted at either end of the striker support 10, and cross support members 76a and 76b (see FIG- URE 5). The cross-suport member 76a is arranged to contact each of the armatures 54 for the punches of a single column. The reset arms 76 pivot about fixed pivots 78,- connected to the frame or sidewall 8, and are connected to drive links at movable pivots 80. The up right portions of the reset arm 76, shown at the left of the FIGURE 5, are coupled by movable pivots 80 to a link 122 shown in greater detail in FIGURE 6. The link 122 has a circular aperture 123 (see FIGURE 6) which is placed over an eccentric cam 125 on the shaft 26. The cam 125 is shown in its 0 position corresponding to the 0 position of the eccentric pin 28, and in this position will not cause the movement of link 122 and in turn the movement of the left reset arm 76. As the shaft 26 rotates the cam 125 to its position, the link 122 will be moved to the right causing the left reset arm 76, coupled to link 122 by the movable pivot 80, to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction about fixed pivot 78 and contact the armatures 54 of the left bank of punches. As the shaft 26 rotates cam to its 270 position, the cam 125 will cause the link 122 to be moved to the left, rotating the left reset arm 76 in a clockwise direction out of contact with the armatures 54 of the left bank of punches.

The upright portions of the reset arm 76 shown at the right of the FIGURE 4, are coupled by movable pivots 80 to a. link 124 shown in greater detail in FIG- URE 7. The link 124 has a circular aperture 127 (see FIGURE 7) which is placed over an eccentric cam 129 on the shaft 2 6. The cam 129 is shown in FIGURE 7 at its 0 position with the smaller radius of the cam contacting the link 124. This position of cam 129 corresponds to the 0 position of the eccentric pin 28. As the shaft 26 rotates the eccentric pin 28 towards its 90 position, the larger radius portion of the cam 129 will act upon the link 124 causing it to move towards the left.

As the link 124 moves towards the left, it will cause the.

right reset arm 76, coupled to link 124 by the movable pivot 80 to rotate in a clockwise direction about the fixed pivot 78 and contact the armatures 54 of the right bank of punches. As the shaft 26 rotates the cam 129 towards .the 270 position (as described by the position of the eccentric pin 28), the larger radius portion of cam 129 will cause the link 124 to move to the right, rotating the right reset arm 76 in a counterclockwise direction out of contact with the armatures 54 of the right bank of punches.

The cams 125 and 129 are mounted upon shaft 26 in such a manner as to be 180 out of phase with one another. That is to say, if the shaft was viewed from its end, cam 125 would be at the 0 position whereas the cam 129 would be at the 180 position. With this arrangement of the cams, the left and right reset arms 76 are operatedat the same times to contact and remove contact with their associated armatures 54.

A stripper bar 108 is placed in the stripper notches 100 of the punch bars 38 and is driven with the striker support 10 in its downward and upward motions. The stationary stop 104 and the stop notches 102 have been omitted from FIGURE 5 to simplify the drawing.

The manner of operation of the device of FIGURE 4 is similar to that described with reference to the individual devices of FIGURE 1. That is, bet-ween the 0 and 90 positions of the eccentric pin 28, the punch bars 38 which were operated during a previous operating cycle, are stripped from the punch die 42 and; record 44 both not shown) and returned to the initial position within punch block 40 (not shown), and the reset arms 76 will force the armatures 54 into contact with their associated selection electro-magnets 67. Between the 90 and 180 positions of eccentric pin 28; the selection electro-magnets are actuated in accordance with the punching desired.

During the rotation of eccentric pin 28 from the 180 to 70 positions, the reset arms 76 are withdrawn to permit the armatures 54 either to remain in contact with their associated selection electro-tmagnets 67 thus retaining the interposers 60 out of Line with the punch bars 38 and the striker surface 12 if the selection electro-magnets 67 have been actuated or the armatures are released to return the interposers 60 to their in line positions under the influence of their respective tension springs 64 if the selection electro-magnets 67 have not been actuated. During the rotation of the eccentric pin 28 from the 270 to 360 positions, the punch operation will take place for those positions in which punching is desired.

Turning now to FIGURE 5, there is shown a partial sectional view of the FIGURE 4 taken along the line 55 with the portion to the left of the line 5--5 removed. The device as shown may employ 12 or 80 punch bars depending upon the mode of punching desired. A plu- "rality of punch bars 38, the first and last of which are illustrated, are placed in the respective apertures 36 of the striker support 10. Each of the punch bars 38 has a stripper notch 100 (in the back surface of the punch bars 38 and not visible in this figure), arranged to engage a stripper bar 108 mounted with fasteners 110 to the left and right end portions of the striker support 10. The striker support is connected by means of the movable pivots 34 to two links 32 mounted to either side of the striker support 10. Each of the punch bars 38 has a and punching power to the striker support 10 as was described with reference to FIGURES 1 and 4. The links 3-2 in turn are connected through ball bearing housings 30 by means of an eccentric pin 28 placed in the shaft 26. The shaft 26 is shown connected to a drive sprocket 27 which may be connected to a source of power such as a motor (not shown) by means of a chain link belt, a sprocket link belt or other suitable means (not shown). The shaft 26 is shown extending between two fragmentary portions of the frame or side wall 8 and is supported thereby. The remaining portions of the frame or sidewall 8 have been omitted from this figure for the sake of simplicity and clarity of the drawing.

The left reset arm 76 shown in FIGURE 5 is in the form of an H, having two upright sections 760 near the extremes of the punch bank and two cross-supporting members 76a and 76b. The upper cross-supporting member 76a is arranged to contact the armatures 54, for the left bank of punches, whereas the lower cross-supporting member 76b is arranged to strengthen and control the positions of the two upright sections 760. The fixed pivot pin 78 is passed through the two upright sections 760 of the reset arm 76 and the lower cross-supporting member 76b and journaled at its ends into the frame or sidewall 8 of the device. The movable pivot pin 80 is journaled -into the lower ends of the upright sections 760 and passes through an aperture in the link 122. The movement of the link 122, as has been described with reference to FIGURE 6, is controlled by means of a cam 12'5 upon the shaft 26 and not visible in FIGURE 5.

Also visible at the bottom of FIGURE 5, next to link '1-22 is the link 124 which controls the reset arm 76 for the right bank of punches. The link 124 is mounted upon a cam 129 (not visible in FIGURE 5) placed on shaft 26 and is controlled thereby as described with reference to FIGURE 7. The position of link 124 is lower than link 122 in that when .the shaft 26 is at the 0 position, the larger radius portion of cam 125 contacts link 12 sembly which can be employed with the devices of FIG- URES 1 and 4 is shown in FIGURE 8. The flexure member 5 2 of FIGURES 1 and 4 is replaced by a solid lightweight member 200 which may the fabricated from nylon or other suitable materials. The member 200 is fastened by fastener 202 to a short flexure member 204, which in turn is fastened by fasteners 48 to the mounting block 46. The mounting block 46 is fastened to the frame or side wall 8 of the perforating device by suitable means (not shown). The fiexure member 204 permits movement of the member 200 toward and away from the electro-magnet 67.

Mounted upon the member 200 is an armature 54 of soft iron or other suitable materials. An aperture 206 is placed in the armature 54 in line with a recess 208 in the member 200. Placed through the aperture 206 with one end terminating in the recess 208 is a compression spring 210.' The other end of the compression spring 210 is placed between the pole pieces of the core 69 of the electro-magnet 67. As in FIGURES 1 and 4 the electro-magnet 67 is connected to the frame or sidewall 8 of the perforating device in such a position as to align the core 69 with the armature 54 of the armature-interposer assembly. 4

The inter-poser 60 is fastened by means of fasteners 62 to one end of a thin, stiff wire 212, which may be made from spring grade steel or other suitable materials. The wire 212 is embedded at its opposite end into the member 200.

The operation'of the armature-interposer assembly of FIGURE 8 is similar to that of the armature-interposer assembly of FIGURES .1 and 4. Compression spring 210 is compressed when the armature 54 is forced into contact with core 69 of the selection electro-magnet 67 and restores the armature-interposer assembly to the punch position of the interposer 60 when it expands upon the end of contact of the reset arm 76 with the member 200.

The arrangement of the spring 210 within the core 69 of the electro-magnet 67 permits a tighter packaging arrangement and less chance of damage to the spring during routine servicing of the punch mechanism.

While there has been shown, described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to preferred embodiments, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes of the form and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privileges claimed are defined as follows:

1. In a record perforating apparatus, a punching assembly comprising: support member; a striker support means having a striker surface and a channel extending through a portion of said striker support means; first fiexure means connected to said striker support means and said support member; eccentric drive means coupled to said striker support means to move said striker support means alternately in first and second directions; a punch bar mounted in the channel of said striker support means the mounting of said punch bar permitting the movement of said striker support means without movement of said punch bar; interposer means capable of being moved between two distinct positions, a first of said positions being intermediate said punch'bar and said striker surface of said striker support means whereby said punch bar is moved with said striker support means, said second position being .such that said striker support means is permitted to move without causing the movement of said punch bar; second fiexure means connected to said support member and said interposer means to support and position said interposer adjacent said punch bar; a selectively operable electro-magnetic means positioned adjacent said second flexure means; said electromagnetic means when operated holding said second flexme means against a surface thereof and holding said interposer means in said second position; restoring means coupled between said support means and said second fiexure means to urge said second flexure means away from said electro-magnetic means placing said interposer means in said first position; mechanical reset means cou pled to said drive means to periodically engage said second flexu're means and bring said second flexure means into contact with said electro-magnetic means; and selectively operating means coupled to said electro-magnetic means whereby the punching of a record is prevented when said selectively operating means is operated and a record is perforated when said selectively operating means is not operated.

2. In a record perforating apparatus, a punching assembly comprising: a support member; a striker support means having a striker surface and a channel extending through a portion of said striker support means; first fiexu're means connected to said striker support means and said support member; eccentric drive means coupled to said striker support means to move said striker support means alternately in first and second directions; a punch bar mounted in the channel of said striker support means; the mounting of said punch bar permitting the movement of said striker support means without movement of said punch bar; interposer means capable of being moved between two distinct positions, a first of said positions being intermediate said punch bar and said striker surface of said striker support means whereby said punch bar is moved with said striker support means, said second position being such that said striker support means is permitted to move without causing the movement of said punch bar; second fiexure means connected to said support member and said interposer means to support and position said interposer adjacent said punch bar; an 'electro-magnetic means positioned adjacent said second fiexure means capable of being selectively operated; said electro-magnetic means when operated holding said second flexure means against a surface thereof and holding said interposer means in said second position; restoring means connected between said support means and said second fiexure means to urge said second flexu're means away from said electro magnetic means placing said interposer means in said first position; mechanical reset means coupled to said drive means to periodically engage said second fiexure means and bring said second flexure means into contact with said electromagnetic means; and control means coupled to said electro-magnetic means toselectively operate said electromagnetic means.

3. In a record perforating apparatus, a punching assembly comprising: a support member; a'striker support member having a striker surface and a plurality of chan: nels extending through a portion of said striker support means; first fiexure means connected to said striker support means and said support member; eccentric drive means coupled to said striker support means to move said striker support means alternately in first and second directions; a plurality of punch bars each mounted in one of said plurality of channels in said striker support means; the mounting of said punch bars permitting the movement of said striker support means without movement of said punch bars; a plurality of interposer means, one of said interposer means being associated with each of said punch bars, said interposers each capable of being moved between two distinct positions, a first of second positions being intermediate its associated punch bar and said striker surface of said striker support means whereby said associated punch bar is moved with said striker support means, said second position being such that said striker support means is permitted to move without causing the movement of its associated punch bar; a plurality of second flexure means, each connected to said support member and one of said interposer means .to support and position its associated interposer adjacent its associated second flexure means away from :its as sociated electro-magnetic means placing said interposer means in said first position; mechanical reset means coupled to said drive means to periodically engage said second flexure means and bring said second flexure means into contact with their associated vones of said .electromagnetic means; and a plurality of selectively operating means each coupled to one of said electro-magnetic means whereby the punching of a record by the associated punch bar is prevented when its associated selectively operating means is operated and a record is .per-

forated by the associated punch bar when its associated selectively operating means is not operated.

4. In 'a record perforating apparatus, a punching assembly for punching in two record columns at the same time com-prising: a support member; a striker support means having a striker surface and two channels extending through a portion of said striker support means; first fiexure means connected to said striker support means and to said support member; eccentric drive means coupled to said striker support means ;to move said striker support means alternately in first and second directions; two punch bars each mounted in .one .of the channels of said striker support means, themounting of said punch bars permitting the movement of said striker support means without movement of said punch. bars; two interposer means each capable of being moved between two distinct positions, a first of said positions being intermediate said punch bars and said striker surface of said striker support means whereby said punch bars are moved with said striker support means, said second position being such that said striker support means is permitted to move without causing the movement of said punch bars; two second flexure means each connected to said support member and to-one of said interposer means to support and position its associated interposer adjacent its associated punch bar; twoselectively operable electro-magnetic means each positioned adjacent one of said second fiexure means; said electromagnetic means when operated holding its associated second flexure means against the surface of its associated electro-magnetic means and holding its associated interposer means in said second position; two restoring means each connected between said support means and one of said second flexure means to urge its associated fiexure means away from its associated electro-magnetic means placing said interposer means in said first position; two mechanical reset means each coupled to said drive means to periodically engage an associated one of said fiexure means and bring its associated flexure means into contact with its associated electro-magnetic means; and two selectively operating means, each connected to one of said electro-magnetic means whereby the punching of a record is prevented when said selectively operating means is operated and a record is perforated when said selectively operating means is not operated.

5. In a record perforating apparatus, a punching assembly for punching in two columns at one time comprising: a support member; a striker support means having a striker surface and two groups of channels extending through a portion of said striker support means; first flexure means connected to said striker support means and to said support member; eccentric drive means coupled to said striker support means to move said striker support means alternately in first and second directions; a plurality of punch bars one for each channel of both of said two groups of channels and mounted in the channels of said striker support means; the mounting of said punch bars permitting the movement of said striker support means without movement of said punch bars; two groups of interposer means one of said interposer means being associated with each of said punch bars, said interposers each capable of being moved between two distinct positions, a first of said positions being intermediate its associated punch bar and said striker surface of said striker support means whereby said associated punch bar is moved with said striker support means, said second position being such that said striker support means is permitted to move without causing the movement of its associated punch bar; a plurality of second flexure means each connected to said support member and one of said interposer means to support and positionits associated interposer adjacent its associated punch bar; a plurality of selectively operable electromagnetic means each positioned adjacent one of said second fiexure means; said electromagnetic means when operated holding its associated one of said second flexure means against the surface of its associated electromagnetic means and holding its associated one of said interposer means in said second position; a plurality of restoring means each connected between said support means and one of said second flexure means to urge its associated second flexure means away from its associated electro-magnetic means placing said interposer means in said first position; two mechanical reset means, one for each group of punch bars, each of said mechanical reset means coupled to said drive means to periodically engage said second flexure means associated with one of said punch bar groups and bring the associated second flexure means into contact with their associated electromagnetic means; and a plurality of selectively operating means each coupled to one of said electromagnetic means whereby the punching of a record by the associated punch bar is prevented when said selectively operating means is operated'and a record is perforated by the associated punch bar when said selectively operating means is not operated.

6. In a record perforating-apparatus, a punching assembly for punching in a plurality of columns at one time comprising: a support member; a striker support means having a striker surface and a plurality of groups of channels corresponding to the number of columns to be punched in extending through a portion of said striker support means; first flexu're means connected to said striker support means and to said support member; eccentric drive means coupled to said striker support means to move said striker support means alternately in first and second directions; a plurality of groups of punch bars, one group for each column to be punched in, each of said punch bars being mounted in a channel of said striker support means; the mounting of said punch bars permitting the movement of said striker support means without movement'of said punch bars; a plurality of interposer means, one of said interposer means being associated with each of said punch bars, said interposers each capable of being moved between two distinct positions, a first of said positions being intermediate its associated punch bar and said striker surface of said striker support means whereby said associated punch bar is moved with said striker support means, said second position being such that said striker support means is permitted to move without causing the movement of its associated punch bar; a plurality of second flexure means each connected to said support member and one of said interposer means to support and position its associated interposer adjacent its associated punch bar; a plurality of selectively operable electro-magnetic means each positioned adjacent one of said second flexure means; said electro-magnetic means when operated holding its associated one of said second fiexure means against the surface of its associated electro-magnetic means and holding its associated one of said interposer means in said second position; a plurality of restoring means each connected between said support means and one of said second flexure means to urge its associated second flex- .ure means away from its associated electro-magnetic means placing said interposer means in said first position; a plurality of mechanical reset means, one of said mechanical reset means being associated with the punch bars for punching in a single column, said mechanical reset means each being coupled to said drive means to periodically engage their associated second flexure means and bring their associated second fiexure means into contact with their associated electro-magnetic means; and a plurality of selectively operating means each coupled to one of said electro-rnagnetic means whereby the punching of a record by its associated punch bar is prevented when said selectively operating means is operated and a record is perforated by its associated punch bar when said selectively operating means is not operated.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,859,816 11/1958 MacNeill 234115 3,122,311 2/1964 Masterson 234-19 3,126,l 3/1964 Lyons et a1. 234ll5 3,189,270 6/1965 Seymour et al. 234-415 3,194,494 7/1965 Darwin 234- WILLIAM W. DYER, 111., Primary Examiner.

W. S. LAWSON,,Assistant Examiner, 

1. IN A RECORD PERFORATING APPARATUS, A PUNCHING ASSEMBLY COMPRISING: SUPPORT MEMBER; A STRIKER SUPPORT MEANS HAVING A STRIKER SURFACE AND A CHANNEL EXTENDING THROUGH A PORTION OF SAID STRIKER SUPPORT MEANS; FIRST FLEXURE MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID STRIKER SUPPORT MEANS AND SAID SUPPORT MEMBER; ECCENTRIC DRIVE MEANS COUPLED TO SAID STRIKER SUPPORT MEANS TO MOVE SAID STRIKER SUPPORT MEANS ALTERNATELY IN FIRST AND SECOND DIRECTIONS; A PUNCH BAR MOUNTED IN THE CHANNEL OF SAID STRIKER SUPPORT MEANS THE MOUNTING OF SAID PUNCH BAR PERMITTING THE MOVEMENT OF SAID STRIKER SUPPORT MEANS WITHOUT MOVEMENT OF SAID PUNCH BAR; INTERPOSER MEANS CAPABLE OF BEING MOVED BETWEEN TWO DISTINCT POSITIONS, A FIRST OF SAID POSITIONS BEING INTERMEDIATE SAID PUNCH BAR AND SAID STRIKER SURFACE OF SAID STRIKER SUPPORT MEANS WHEREBY SAID PUNCH BAR IS MOVED WITH SAID STRIKER SUPOPRT MEANS, SAID SECOND POSITION BEING SUCH THAT SAID STRIKER SUPPORT MEANS IS PERMITTED TO MOVE WITHOUT CAUSING THE MOVEMENT OF SAID PUNCH BAR; SECOND FLEXURE MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID SUPPORT MEMBER AND SAID INTERPOSER MEANS TO SUPPORT AND POSITION SAID INTERPOSER ADJACENT SAID PUNCH BAR; A SELECTIVELY OPERABLE ELECTRO-MAGNETIC MEANS POSITIONED ADJACENT SAID SECOND FLEXURE MEANS; SAID ELECTROMAGNETIC MEANS WHEN OPERATED HOLDING SAID SECOND FLEXURE MEANS AGAINST A SURFACE THEREOF AND HOLDING SAID INTERPOSER MEANS IN SAID SECOND POSITION; RESTORING MEANS COUPLED BETWEEN SAID SUPPORT MEANS AND SAID SECOND FLEXURE MEANS TO URGE SAID SECOND FLEXURE MEANS AWAY FROM SAID ELECTRO-MAGNETIC MEANS PLACING SAID INTERPOSER MEANS IN SAID FIRST POSITION; MECHANICAL RESET MEANS COUPLED TO SAID DRIVE MEANS TO PERIODICALLY ENGAGE SAID SECOND FLEXURE MEANS AND BEING SAID SECOND FLEXURE MEANS INTO CONTACT WITH SAID ELECTRO-MAGNETIC MEANS; AND SELECTIVELY OPERATING MEANS COUPLED TO SAID ELECTRO-MAGNETIC MEANS WHEREBY THE PUNCHING OF A RECORD IS PREVENTED WHEN SAID SELECTIVELY OPERATING MEANS IS OPERATED AND A RECORD IS PERFORATED WHEN SAID SELECTIVELY OPERATING MEANS IS NOT OPERATED. 